Small barber school

Students, often career changers and young adults, paying tuition themselves or through payment plans and financial aid if the school qualifies.

Tuition per student, paid up front or in installments. Smaller extras include student kit sales and low-cost services on the public by students on the practice floor, where your state allows it.

• Experienced licensed barber, ideally with instructor credentials
• Teaching and coaching beginners
• Organizing schedules, records and student hours
• Handling paperwork and regulators

• State approval or licensing of the school, and required instructor licenses, which vary a lot by state, so check with your state barber board
• Whether you need accreditation or approval to offer federal student aid, and what that involves
• Zoning, building and health department rules for your space, plus a lease that allows this use
• General liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire staff
• Student contracts, refund policies and record keeping, which regulators often check, so consider asking a lawyer to review them
• Long wait before steady income: you need students enrolled and a set-up that passes inspection first

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on your space, equipment, insurance and the approvals your state requires. It can take a while to enroll students and pass inspection before income is steady.

Check state approval or licensing of the school and required instructor licenses with your state barber board, as these vary a lot. Also check accreditation for federal student aid, zoning, building and health department rules.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $35,000, depending on how many students you enroll and your tuition pricing. These are estimates only, and rent, staff and other costs come out of that revenue.